Ship propulsion



May 2, 1944. E. v. LovELl.

SHIP PRoPULsIoN Filed Nov. 10 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. V. LOVELL SHIP PROPULSION Filed Nov. lO 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a n 1 .l ff? Z 6 63 6" d@ um N VW /9 1 -72 5 'V 6 9 l y 11"! 2 f7 6667 'f l 'f Z6' 26 23 4@ 34 45 24 /7/6 l' -g' l 43 47 '4g-S in? 42 /q Il i J 44 l v 45' 34 L lI 26 4 /7/ I ,L d, 4

3 6o /4 I 6 I, 22 .fg o/ d3 62 6456 /6 7/ I 9 I I 7z f7 f6 67 g f? /Z 7 :EIGL-1 Patented May 2, 1944 lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,347,785 SHIP'PROPULS'ION Earl V. Lovell, Napa, Calif.

Application November 10, 1942, Serial No. 465,130

- Claims.

This invention relates to means for the propulsion of ships.. A y

It is an object of the invention to provide more eflicient propelling means for a vessel than is provided by the ordinary screw propeller located at the stern of the vessel.

Another object of the invention is to provide pro-pulsion means for a vessel which renders the latter more maneuverable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, for driving a vessel through the water, a plurality of separate and independent propulsion units whereby the progress or steering of the vessel are not seriously affected in the event that a small number of the propulsion units becomes inoperative.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide propulsion means for a vessel which may function to regulate the speed of the vessel without reducing the 'speed of the driving engines. A further object of the invention is to provide, in ship propulsion means employing outboard propellers, means for permitting inspection or repair ofthe propellers and their associated apparatus from within the hull of the ship It is another object of the invention to provide, in a vessel, pro-pulsion means comprising a group of relatively small separate units which permits greater ease in handling oi the parts during repair operations and also permits such operationsto be performed with a smaller repair crew.

It is a further object of the invention to provide propulsion means for a vessel comprising a large group of dispersed individually driven propellers which renders the vessel less likely to be rendered helpless in wartime in the event that a portion of the group of propellers should become destroyed or damaged by torpedo or shell hits.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage which, together with the foregoing, will be specifically pointed out in the detailed ldescription of the invention hereunto annexed. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific form thereof herein shown and described, as various other forms thereof may be employed within the scope cf the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a ship showing the improved propellingmeans of my invention in place thereon.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the struc-` of the propelling units. The plane in which the View is taken is indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 4.

Figure 4.- is a vertical sectional View of the propelling unit taken in the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

In Figures 1 and 2 I have shown a ship 6 on which several of my propulsion units are mounted, the latter being arranged in opposed pairs along the opposite sides of the ship, and, if desired, along the keel thereof. 'I'he function of each propulsion unit is to take in a stream of water from the direction of the bow of the ship and forcibly eject the stream toward the stern, thereby forcing the ship to move in a forward direction at a speed depending on the velocity of discharge of the water streams. Of course, the streams are also capable of being directed toward the bow of the ship when it is desired to move the latter in a reverse direction. In addition, variations in the operational speeds of the various propulsion units may be employed to steer the ship or to render the latter more rapidly maneuverable than one provided with the conventional stern rudder. Since each of the propulsion units are identical, With the exception of variations in their drive connections, it will sufce to describe but one of them in detail.

In Figures 3 and 4, I have detailed one of the propulsion units which comprises a liange 1 secured to the interior surface of the hull 8 of the vessel, by rivets 9 or otherwise, which carries an integral cylindrical casing II which projects exteriorly of the vessel through-a suitable opening' I2, provided in the hull 8 thereof and positioned below the water line I3. The casing II is provided with a central cylindrical passage I4, extending therethrough and in a direction fore and aft of the vessel, and is also provided, medially of its ends, with a peripheral slot II 6. Approximately U-shaped channel bars II secured to the casing II, adjacent the sides of the slot lII, are attached to a curved cover plate I8 whose side edges are welded, or otherwise secured, to steps I 9 formed at the ends of the casing. This forms a truss structure stiffening the casing at the slot I6 and also produces a more or less streamlined exterior on the propulsion unit so that the latter may pass through the water with as little frictional resistance as possible. The casing iiange 'I is provided with a central opening 2|' over which is secured, by studs 22, a cover plate "23 having a hub 24 extending within the exterior of the vessel. Integral arms 26, ofthe cover plate 24, extend toward the passage I4 and are provided with arcuate flanges 21, concentric with the axis of the passage I4, to which are secured, by screws or bolts 28, mounting plates 29 spaced apart longitudinally of the passage I4 to provide a gap 3| registering with the slot I6 and :fitted with struts 32 which carry bearings 33 provided with caps 34 secured in position by studs 35. The bearings 33-36 are concentrically alined with the axis of the passage I4. Journaled in the bearingsl is a shaft 31 on which is mounted a rotor comprising a hub 38 having a plurality of vanes 39 extending radially therefrom and terminating in an integral cage ring 4I carrying a bevel gear 42 which meshes with a bevel pinion 43 carried by a stud shaft 44 jcurnaled in bearings 45 provided in the hub 24. The rotor, it will be seen, occupies the slot :c and gap si* of the casing II and between the mounting plates 29 respectively, the bore 45 of the cage ring 4I registering with and forming a part of the passagel I4. A drive shaft 41 is detachably connected to the stub. shaft 44 by a coupling 45 whose sections are secured together by bolts 48. i Y

It will be seen that when the drive shaft 41 is revolved, the resulting rotation of the bevel pinion 43 will cause rotation of the bevel gear 421 and the cage ring 4I thus moving the vanes 39 about the axis of the shaft 31.. The vanes 3,9 are angularly positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the passage. I4, in the manner of a conventional propeller, so that, during movements of the vanes, water will be drawn in from one end of the passage I4 and be caused to flow through the passage and be discharged from the other end thereof. Thus the vessel will be, propelled either forward Aor backward, depending upon the directien ef flew ef the stream ei vater throughA the passage lfl-A The Construction. is. such that byremoving the bolts 48 detaching the drive shaft 41 from the stub shaft 45and removing the nuts` 49 of the studs 2 2, the rotor may bey drawn inwardly into the vessel through the opening 2IV Without the, necessity efY dismantling env f. the bearing or drive parts associated with the rotor. In Figures 1A andl 2, I have shown individual motors I4 connected through gear boxes 52 and,

couplings 53 with the drive shafts 41; of the various propulsion units; the units which are situated on `the bottom of the vessel. being provided with additional gear boxes 5.4; to take care of. theY verticalI placement of thestub shaft 44 and to elimi. nate overhead structure so as to facilitate easy removalA of the rotors, from these particular propulsion units, Although separate drive motorsy have been shown, it is Within the scope of the inventen te provide one, or more larger motors, ca- Peble. of serving all or separate groups of the prepulsion units,4 the latter 0f Course being then pro,- vided with change gear boxes and clutches by means of which the various propulsion units may be operated at `diierent speeds or cut out altogether if` d esi'red.,V It will be seen that by speed;- ing up they units on one side of the vesselr while stepping, or maintaining at a reduced speed, the units, en the other side. ef the vessel,` very rapid Steering, maneuvers of. the vessel may be had..

1\ 4eans is. provided for regulating; the, new of Water through the passage I4, sothat the effective thrustef the propulsion. unit may be varied without Changing the speed. of the roter, er for eempletely closing the passage at both ends to permit removal of the rotor for repairs or for any other reason. Provided, at` opposite ends of the casing Il, and extending within the vessel., are

housings 5G, each. having a rectangular chamberv 51 therein which opens into the passage I4, the passage being provided with a peripheral seating groove 58 which is formed as an extension of the upper and lower wall surfaces of the chamber 51. The opposite side surfaces of the seating grooves are angularly related, in a direction transaxially of the passage I4, to correspond with the sloping sides 59 of a valve 6I mounted for slidable movement in the chamber 51. The valve 6I carries a hub, GZ bored and threaded to receive a screw 63 which is journaled at one end in a hub B4 provided on the cover plate 66, which closes the inner end i of the housing 56 and is secured thereon by screws are in their fully retracted positions, as shown in the lower portion of the View, the passage I4 will befully open to allow free passage of water therethrough and that, when the valves are in any i-n-y termediate position, as indicatedl in the upper portion of the view, the passage will be more or less constricted, thus materially reducing the amount of water which may flow therethrough. Thus it is possible, while maintaining a constant speed of rotation of the rotor or impeller, to vary the speed of the vessel through the water. It` will also be seen that when the, valves 6 Iz are. moved as far as they will gO. toward the.1eft, asV viewed in Figure 3, and seated in the grooves 58, the ope. posite ends of the passage will be closed against the entrance of sea water thereinto, thus permitting the rotor to be removed, as was explained above, for inspection or repair. When the valves 6J are fully closed, a quantity oi water will be trapped the passage I4 between the valves. However, this water may be pumped out, of the passage. through a suction duct which may be provided to, open into the passage, or the Water may be allowed to drain into the vesselsA bilge when the rotor unitis being removed.

It will be seen by those skilled:` in the art, from the foregoing description of my invention, that I have provided means, for propelling vessels through the water, which will more efciently propelthe vessel than will the conventional screw positioned at the stern of the vessel; that a vessel equippedwith the propulsion units of my inventionJis more maneuver-,able than a vessel equipped wi-,th the conventional propeller; that, the vessel mayproceed on hercourse even though one or a few oi the propulsion unitsshould become disabled;A that; the speed of the vessel may be regulated even though the driving engines are being operated at a Constant speed; and that the Cepstruction permits repairs; to be,v made at sea and withQlltV interruption, of,y thev progress of the vessel.

Having thus described my inventionA in.y detail, what I claim asv new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,A is.: l

l. Inaship having an aperture in av submerged portion of the hull` thereof and intermediate the bow and stern of said hull and extending ex,-Y teriorly thereof thronghV said aperture, said casing having therein a cylindricall passage, extending longitudinally oftheA hull, and anaperture axially intersecting said passageA and through which the passage andv the interior of they hull may communicate, a coverplateremovably secured te, seid casina closing', seid. aperture,

having an arcuate portion thereof forming a part of the wall of said passage and provided with struts carrying bearings ooncentrically positioned with respect to said passage, a shaft journaled in said bearings, a rotor carried by said shaft having impeller vanes for engaging and forcing sea water through said passage, a bevel gear carried by said rotor, a bevel pinion meshing with said bevel gear and carried by a drive shaft journaled in said cover plate, and means within said hull and connected with said drive shaft for revolving said rotor.

2. In a ship having an aperture in a submerged portion of the hull thereof and intermediate the bow and stern of said hull and extending exteriorly thereof through said aperture, said casing having therein a cylindrical passage, extending longitudinally of the hull, and an aperture axially intersecting said passage and through which the passage and the interior of the hull may communicate, a cover plate removably secured to said casing, closing said aperture, having an arcuate portion thereof forming a part of the wall of said passage and provided with struts carrying bearings concentrically positioned with respect to said passage, a shaft journaled in said bearings, a rotor carried by said shaft having impeller vanes for engaging and forcing sea Water through said passage, a bevel gear carried by said rotor, a bevel pinion meshing with said bevel gear and carried by a drive shaft journaled in said cover plate, means within said hull and connected with said drive shaft for revolving said rotor, chambered housings on said casing at the respective ends thereof, each having a chamber therein and eX- tending radially from the casing into the interior of said hull, valves slidably mounted in said chambers and movable transaxially of said passage so as to partially or totally close said passage, screws journaled in said housings and threadedly engaged with said valves, and cranks secured to said screws, at the end thereof within the hull, by means of which said screws may be rotated so as to move said valves across said passage.

3. In a ship having an aperture in a submerged portion of the hull thereof, a cover plate secured to said hull at a position to extend over said aperture, a casing supported by said cover plate and also extending over said opening, said casing having a cylindrical passage therethrough extending in a direction fore and aft of the ship, said passage having a slot in the wall thereof at a position medially between the ends of the passage, a rotor rotatively supported by said cover plate at a position within said passage, said rotor having a toothed periphery extending through said slot, a drive shaft also supported by said cover plate, and a pinion mounted on said drive shaft and engaging the teeth of said rotor.

4. In a ship having an aperture in a submerged portion of the hull thereof, a cover plate secured to said hull at a position to extend over said aperture, a casing supported by said cover plate and also extending over said opening, said casing having a, cylindrical passage therethrough extending in a direction fore and aft lof the ship, said passage having a slot in the wall thereof at a position medially between the ends of the passage, bearings carried by said cover plate and extended into said passage, a shaft axially disposed within said passageway and rotatively supported by said bearings, a rotor mounted on and rotatable with said shaft, said rotor having a toothed peripheral portion extended through said slot, a drive shaft also supported by said cover plate, and a pinion mounted on said drive shaft and engaging the toothed periphery of said rotor.

5. In a ship having an aperture in a submerged portion of the hull thereof, a cover plate secured to said hull at a position to extend over said aperture, a casing supported by said cover plate and also extending over said aperture, said casing having a cylindrical passage therethrough extending in a direction fore and aft of the ship, said passage having a slot in the wall thereof at a position medially between the ends of the passage, an approximately U-shaped brace for said casing positioned opposite to said cover plate and in alignment with said slot, a rotor rotatively mounted within said passage with. its peripheral portion extended through said slot, and driving means located outside of the casing and engaging the periphery of said rotor.

EARL V. LOVELL. 

